Scotland.

The Prov . G . M . then " gave the Patron of the . Scottish Craft , the Prince of Wales , " prefacing the toast by a smart appropriate speech . The toast was hailed with applause and drunk with all the honours till the roof and rafters of the

baronial hall rung again . The Prov . G . M . followed , informing the company that Bro . Irvine had been appointed Substitute Prov . G . M . Thanks were returned by Bro . Irvine in his own racy style , accepting the high office eheerfullly , and stating that he would do

all in his power to work the Craft to advantage , and increase the brethren in the South of Scotland . The next toast was " Lodge of St . James , " coupled with the name of Brother Bruce , the Master , " the Prov . G . M stating the pleasure and

gratification it afforded him to meet so many intelligent , well-dressed brethren ; he considered it an honor to preside over them . Thanks were returned by Bro . Bruce , who , in winding up his remarks , proposed the health of the Prov . G . M ., the man beloved by all , the

large hearted , finely cultivated , genial , Scottish gentleman . The toast was drunk with three times three , in ancient Masonic form , and finished off with " Lie ' s a jolly good fellow" by the whole strength of the company . The enthusiastic applause brought the Prov . G . M to his

feet , who assured the brethren that he was always glad to meet the men of the Border ; on these occasions he was always sure of a hearty welcome ; they never did things by halves ; their whole history showed that , whether it was in defending their rights , inspiriting their ancient

enemies of England , or in welcoming a brother , there was no half-heartedness ; it was done with all their might , it was thorough , and he was at all times proud and happy to meet them . The Prov . G . M ., in a good introduction , next proposed the health of " Lodge Journeyman No .

8 , Edinburgh , " characterising it as a lodge that he regarded with fond affection , and it was well worth y of all the affection he could bestow upon it ; it was staunch , ever ready and ever true . Bro . Henry , of Journeyman Lodge , returned thanks in an excellent speech , in which he gave

the Prov . G . M full and deserved credit for his geniality and urbanity , and excellent qualities as a Chairman . The " Health and Prosperity of Lodge Selkirk , No , 52 , " was then proposed , coupled with the name of Bro . Clapperton . Bro . Clapperton then returned thanks in a

spirited speech , pointing out that though the " Flowers of the Forest" were a wide away , the Sutors of Selkirk were left and were near , who would never stain their reputation , and never be the last in the fray . The Prov . G . M . then gave the health of Lodge No . 104 , Jedburgh , coupled with the name of Bro . Scott .

Bro . Scott returned thanks , in a happy speech , for Lodge No 194 , Jedburgh . Lodge St . John ' s , No . in , Hawick , was the next to receive attention at the hands of the worthy Prov . G . M . The subject was neatly and appropriately introduced , coupled with the name of Bro . Noble .

Bro . Noble , in a vigorous speech , returned thanks for the kind and gracious manner in which the Prov . G . M . had spoken of Lodge No . 111 . After all , he thought they were deserving of all that had been said of them , as they claimed to be real Teribus men , the sons of heroes ; and any

faintheartedness or halfheartedness must not and never would be found amongst them ; like their fathers , who" rallied up by Tertbin , " they would always be found in the van . The telling remarks he made provoked a hurricane of applause , and were cheered to the echo .

The Prov . G . M . then gave the health of Stow Lodge , No . 216 , coupled with the name of Bro . Carr , which was drunk with great cordiality . Bro . Carr returned thanks in a happy pointed speech , short and pithy .

Bro . Scott , See . of St . James ' s , No . 424 , proposed the health of Proxy Master of their lodge , Bro . Davidson , making graceful allusions lo his tact , energy , and business qualifications . Bro . Davidson then returned thanks .

Bro . Heeney proposed the Provincial Grand Lodge of Selkirk and Peebles , coupled with the name of Bro . Thomson , in a smart speech , after

Scotland.

which Bro . Ihompson replied in his rich , racy , humourous manner . By this time the dial indicated low twelve , and the proceedings were brought to a close in the ancient Masonic manner . Each , then , took off his separate way , happy and well pleased . Altogether it was a night

never to be forgotten . The Prov . G . M . is admirably fitted for the chair , courteous and pleasant , good at a speech , happy and apt in his quotations , and smart in repartee . The speeches were good , and the songs were the choicest and sung with greatspirit , and nothingwassaid or done that the most refined anil cultivated could not

have listened to . As usual , the Teetotallers and Good Templars mustered in strong force , and proved conclusively that the inspiring jug is not necessary to enable one to spend a good happy nig ht .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

MASONS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS , To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — But few Masons sympathise with the uncalled for attack made b y two or three tindiscerning brethren , against our Rev . Bro

Woodward , on account of his late attendance at a public lecture on Papacy , held at Ipswich . If your correspondents are Masons , they can scarcely have sufficiently cultivated the virtue of charity , which Masonry so strongly upholds and which

thinketh no evil and teaches us to admonish an erring brother privately or , they would hardly have made this groundless charge . In becoming a mason , a brother neither gives up his individuality nor curtails his liberty as a subject , and a death blow

would be dealt to Masonry , if our Rev . Brethren were debarred from doing what is their strict duty , viz ., at all times and in allplaeesto protest against the errors of the Romish Church . Our Rev . Brother attended the Ipswich Meeting

solely as an individual and a Minister of the Gospel He neither wore Masonic clothing , announced himself as Chaplain to our Schools , nor offered nor was asked to offer up a prayer as such . Masonry had nothing whatever to do with the

meeting or lecture , and it is simply tinmasonic , unjust , and moreover indecorous to pretend to hold him responsible , because the reporter o . f the Suffolk Newspaper identified and described him Masonically . Our Rev . Brother may rest assured

ol the sympathy of a very large majority of Masons , and can well afford to treat this attack with the only notice it deserves , vi / .., silence , We shall next see some recognised brother attacked for attending a Conservative or Liberal Meeting .

Masonry takes no part in reli gious or political demonstrations , but neither does it uphold such tyranny as " Vectis" states to be predominant in Ipswich . I should like to know in what degree a Mason surrenders his liberty of thought , action

or opinion , whether , in religion or politics , in order that I may avoid it . A Mason and a younger man in age and Masonry , than our Rev . JJrother , I feel indignant at the presumption which recommends , him who has committed no offence , " not to offend again . " As Chaplain to our Schools our

Reverend Bro . belongs to us m London as much as to the Ipswich section and we should much regret to see him toadying to them , in opposition to his freedom and duty . Prove him guilty of haying compromised Masonry and then we will unite in reproof . Yours fraternally , N ' R .

The Scots Greys And Freemasonry.

THE SCOTS GREYS AND FREEMASONRY .

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — The interesting sketch of the Scots Greys a century ago , in relation to Freemasonry ,

was by my friend and Bro . D . Murray Lyon , the historian of " Mother Lodge , Kilwinning , " and the " Lodge of Edinburgh . " His name has been omitted from the article )

The Scots Greys And Freemasonry.

and I now write to let your numerous subscribers know that the graphic sketch was by him . You will excuse my thus troubling you , but having forwarded the paper for publication , it seemed to me incomplete , without a signature . W . J . HUGHAN .

THE BALLOT FOR W . M

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — It seems that I have been in error , in advising ' a second ballot to be taken for the W . M ., provided an absolute majority of the members be not obtained in the lirst vote .

In the absence of any definite rule being laid down in our Book of Constitutions , many lodges and Past Masters , in common with myself , have considered that it was very desirable to secure a majority of" the brethren present in favour of the W . M . Elect , but I am told positively , on good

authority , that it has been ruled otherwise at " Head Quarters , " and that the first Ballot is final . Whatever may be our individual opinions as to such a course , I at once withdraw my suggestion of a second ballot , as recommended at page 522 of the Freemason , although it still appears to me the better plan . W . J . HUGUAX 7 .

New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

TIMARU . —St . John ' s Lodge . ( No 11 . 37 E . C ) . —The annual meeting for the Installation of W . M . and officers of the above lodge took place at the Oddfellow ' s Hall , Barnard-street , on the

27 th of June , the ceremonial being conducted by Brother ' C . W . Bishop , Deputy District Grand Master , assisted by P . M . Brother Henry

Thompson , of Christchurch . Among the visitors were Brothers E . Price , R . W . M ., and C Jacobs , P . M . of the Caledonian Lodge , S . C ., the Rev . L . L . Brown , Chaplain of St . John ' s Lodge ; about fifty brethren of the local lodges being also in attendance . The D . D . G . M . havin" - first installed

Brother GH Wildie as W . M . for the ensuing year , then installed his officers , as follows : —Bro . J . W . White S . W ., ; Brother G . W . Wade , J . W . ISrother R . Scott , ( re-invested ) Treasurer ; Bro . W . M . Sims ( re-invested ) Secretary ; Brother W Ziesler , Organist ; Brother F . J . Wilson , '

re-invested ) D . . C . ; Brother W . Hobbs ^ S . D . ; Brother John Macintosh , J . D . ; Brother 11 . Fieldwiek , I . G . ; Brother Exley , ( re-invested ) Tyler . The D . D . G . M . then addressed the Alaster and officers severally in the duties of their respective offices in eloquent and inpressive terms . The

W . M . said he had a pleasing duty to perform , which was , to present their late Master , who had so abl y discharged the duties of his office , with a P . M . jewel and a purse of sovereigns in recognition of his valuable services to the Lodge . He hoped Brother King would live many years to wear it . The W . M . then invested Brother J .

King with the jewel , which is a very handsome one , bearing the appropriate emblem of the rank of P . M . in gold relief upon a surface of blue enamel , framed wilh gold , the head of the framing bearing a square , compass and five pointed star from which , by means of a ring it is a joined to a blue ribbon and attacher , the back of the jewel bearing the following ] inscription : ¦—

To Bro . John King , from S . John ' s Lodge , 11 , 57 . E . C . Brother J . King , in feeling terms , returned thanks . He never expected so great an honour , for he was not aware that he had done anything to deserve it . He assured them he should ever value their

present , not so much for its intrinsic worth , but as being a mark of their friendshi p and esteem , business of the Lodge being concluded , the brethren sat down to an excellant banquet , to which full justice was done , The usual loyal and masonic toasts were drunk , the proceedings being enlivened by some capital singing .

Altogether , the large party of brethen assembled spent a most happy time , which lasted until the small hours next morning , the lateness of the hour being through the fact that the banquet did not commence until nearly midnight , owing to the lateness of the arrival ot the Grand Officers who came by coach from Christchurch .